I’ve never been much of a romantic. A box of Black Magic and some poseys from a garage forecourt is usually the extent of my romanticism.
That’s not enough nowadays though. You’ve got to get your hand in your pocket and really show that person you love that you do indeed love them – usually by whisking them off to some fancy joint for some amazing food and loads of fizz.
If you’re looking for something really romantic to celebrate your love this year – this lot have got you covered…
Special Valentines Menus
5-Course Valentine’s Menu at The River Restaurant
The Lowry Hotel’s River Restaurant will be offering up a decadent five course menu inclusive of a welcome glass of fizz, priced at £59.99pp. This year’s Valentine’s menu features a variety of flavourful dishes, from Yuzu cured salmon to beef fillet served with slow cooked ox cheek croquette. For dessert, they’ve created a Valrhona Caramella Chocolate Crémeux, using the hotel’s bespoke Lowry Honey.
Valentines 10-Course Tasting Menu at The Allotment Vegan Eatery
Friday 11th February
Allotment have created a special ten-course menu of seasonal and beautifully prepared vegan food this Valentine’s Day, and it all sounds amazing. With dishes such as like you’ve never tasted before Portobello ‘steak’ with rehydrated wild mushrooms, potato purée, chard and chimichurri, and Red velvet with cream cheese frosting, frozen rose and rice crisp chards – all of it VEGAN – you know you’re in for a treat. It’s £70 per person and you can also add on a wine pairing for £29 extra per person.
7-Course Valentine’s Tasting Menu at La Bandera
Available from Saturday 12th – Friday 18th Feb, La Bandera have created a special Valentine’s Tasting Menu – 7 courses for just £55 per person. There’s some stunning dishes on here, including 48-hour cured Iberico Ham, King Prawns in Canarian spices and Arroz con Bogavante – a lobster and king prawn paella. Also on offer are a series of Valentine’s Hampers for him and her – excellent gifts for the one you love.
‘Meet Me at District’ at DISTRICT
The Oldham Street Neo-Bangkok BBQ restaurant will be offering up a rather impressive 11-Course menu this Valentine’s Day, and although it’s currently sold out – you can join their waiting list if mug cancelled (probably because they’ve been dumped). Oysters, their legendary ‘Not Tacos’, Secreto Iberico, Aged Goosnargh Duck – it’s all on here, and with this being DISTRICT – it’ll be phenomenal.
Laurent-Perrier x King Street Townhouse 5-Course Tasting Menu
Friday 11th February
A 5 course tasting menu paired with a Laurent-Perrier champagne flight now, courtesy of King Street Townhouse. The chefs have expertly crafted a meal perfect for making this romantic evening one to remember, including a selection of canapés, a palate-cleansing rosé champagne sorbet and, of course, an indulgent chocolatey desert. This dinner is paired with a Laurent-Perrier champagne flight and will have a representative from the champagne house taking you through each exquisite glass.
3-Course Italian Valentines Menu at Cibo
Cibo is offering an exclusive Valentine’s menu on the day! It’s £50 per person, and if you want to add a bottle of Prosecco, you can for £20. You can grab some amazing starters including Buratta, Garlic Bread and Scallops, mains of Salmon and Steak, as well as classic desserts such as Tiramisu and New York Cheesecake.
‘Letters of Note’ at The Ivy Spinningfields
The Ivy Spinningfields has joined forces with Letters of Note to give diners a gift to treasure forever this Valentine’s Day. ‘Love’ is an exclusive book compiled by Shaun Usher, featuring a collection of the most passionate love letters written in history, and it will be offered to all guests who book a table in the restaurant on Monday 14th February. In addition, The Ivy have created a new cocktail menu “designed to make even the cold-hearted blush”.
Valentine’s Sharing Board at Gusto
Gusto Italian is celebrating Valentine’s from Friday 11th to Monday 14th February with a special sharing menu designed for two to enjoy for £90. There’s an antipasti board, 18oz Chateaubriand with truffle mash, and a dessert platter that includes Amaretto crème brulée and chocolate brownie. Also on the menu are two specially created cocktails that will be served under a smoke-filled bell jar. Kiss From a Rose, a twist on a cherry martini and Master of Love, inspired by an Old Fashioned will be available over the Valentine’s weekend.
4-Course Valentines Menu at Firefly
A very impressive 4 course dinner at Firefly now, one which features Duck Szechuan Gyozas, Pan-seared Scallops, Chateaubriand, Lobster Thermador and a Raspberry Soufflé to finish. The food will be accompanied by live acoustic music and a DJ.
An Indian Valentine’s Day at Zouk
This Valentine’s Day Zouk have created a sensational 5-course set menu priced at just £35 per person. You’ll be treated to an ‘Aphrodisiac’ Starter of Oyster Pakoras, before tucking into their Lovers Sharing Platter, and some ‘Smoking Hot’ Mains. Finally – no romantic dinner is complete without dessert – of which they’ve created a traditional Gulab Jamun topped with pistachios and syrup & a light and dreamy Chocolate Mousse.
The Breadflower Love Bundle
What says I love you more than a basket full of bagels and flowers? This limited edition bundle from Breadflower includes six sourdough heart shaped bagels, a beautiful bunch of blooms, Manchester Smokehouse salmon, and a choice of schmears including a sweet Funfetti schmear (because why the hell not?). There are also vegan/veggie versions available, and the deadline to order is the end of the day (11:59pm) on Thursday 10th February.
3-Course Dinner and Fizz at Prestwich Social
Available from the 11th – 15th February, Prestwich Social will be offering a 3-course A la Carte menu, plus a glass of fizz for just £35 per person. Make sure you get booked in, which you can do here:
The Valentine’s Sushi Box at UNAGI
Sushi lovers unite – Unagi will be offering up bespoke sushi platters for delivery or collection this Valentine’s weekend – complete with one off special ‘crispy duck roll’. Enjoy 40 pieces of hand rolled sushi, sashimi and hosomaki personally selected by chef Ralph in a bespoke, ribbon tied box complete with a sharing set of reusable UNAGI chopsticks. These exclusive TAKEAWAY platters are by pre-order only.
Romantic Settings
Romantic (and cosy) Winter ‘Igloos’ at The Black Friar
The Black Friar’s fantastic Winter Pods are still sat in their terrific beer garden, and so if you fancy grabbing food from a menu that Jay Rayner described as ” big and bullish and, for the most part, on point”, in a secluded den of romance – this is the place. Enjoy alongside a few Grey Goose cocktails and end the night on some serious snuggling back home.
The Highest Valentine’s Day in Manchester at 20 Stories
Okay perhaps it’s not the ‘highest’ Valentine’s Day you can have this year, but it’s certainly got the very best views of the city, and a specially curated 4-course dinner to celebrate this day of love. 20 Stories will also be launching a special Galentine’s Afternoon Tea on Monday 14th February, which will be available for one week only.
A Tale of Immortal Love at Tattu
This Valentine’s Tattu will be unveiling a brand-new cocktail, inspired by the ancient Chinese love story between mortal and God. An indulgent blend of pink gin, coconut rum, Milky Way cordial and raspberries, this limited-edition cocktail, made to share, is the perfect drink to end your Valentine’s experience – with something sweet and decadent. Available from February 11th to the 14th
Mediaeval Quarter: The Valentine’s Cheese & Wine Platters at Harvey Nichols
This Valentines, Harvey Nichols Second Floor Deli Bar will be offering up some indulgent charcuterie plates, featuring their selection of speciality cheeses and antipasti, paired with a bottle of Harvey Nichols white, red or rosé for £35. All while overlooking the city’s Medieval Quarter. It’s available between Friday 10th and Monday 14th February.
Overnight Stays
“From Manchester with Love” Valentines Getaway at The Kimpton Clocktower
The Kimpton Clocktower and The Refuge have joined forces for the Ultimate Valentines Getaway Package, which includes an overnight stay in one of the rooms or suites, breakfast, a Gin & Tonic on arrival and £50 credit to spend at The Refuge. Oh and a bouquet of flowers from their in-house florist Giraffe. All of this from £160.
The Valentine’s Weekend #LoveStock Package at Stock Exchange Hotel
The historic Stock Exchange Hotel has everything you need for a romantic weekend away with a selection of rooms available between Friday 11th to Monday 14th February (Prices range from £299 to £420 per room per night.) There’s also tables available at Tom Kerridge’s Bull & Bear Restaurant throughout the weekend and on Valentine’s Day itself, and can be booked right here:
The Midland Hotel Champagne Lounge
Share the love at The Midland, and enjoy romance at one of Manchester’s most iconic destinations! From sumptuous sharing desserts and cocktails at Mount Street Dining Room and Bar, to oysters and Champagne in The Midland Champagne Lounge and a special stay package, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. There are also options for Valentine’s Day gift ideas to treat your loved one to, including an Afternoon Tea voucher, which can be enjoyed in the opulent surroundings of the Tea Room, overlooking St Peter’s Square. Throughout the Valentine’s weekend, guests will be served Valentine’s themed cakes as part of their Afternoon Tea.
Valentine’s Spa Packages at The Lowry Hotel
The Lowry is offering two Valentine’s special packages for a stress-free Valentine’s weekend! Firstly, the Rose Kiss package (from £85pp) features a feather light or firm pressure back, neck and shoulder massage, a back of legs massage, and a rejuvenating 20-minute facial with rose oil. The second Fresh De-stress Peppermint package (from £85pp) features the same massages, but with a rejuvenating 20-minute facial with peppermint oil.
‘With Love from Dakota’ at Dakota Hotel
This special Valentines package from Dakota comes in at £300 and includes an overnight stay for two adults in a luxurious bedroom, cooked breakfast for two served in the Dakota Grill, a bottle of Taittinger Champagne & chocolates in your room when you arrive, a rose petal turndown and bathrobes & slippers. Available 11th – 14th February.
Romantic Valentines Events
‘Love Edition’ at DSW
Ducie Street Warehouse has announced its Love Edition programme this February, from curated meals to DJs and cinema screenings plus activities – perfect for couples to celebrate Valentine’s and group of friends to celebrate Palentine’s. The chic venue is offering a curated three-course meal, which is priced at £40 per person, and available on Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Monday 14th February. As well as this,
On Saturday 12th February, the venue’s most-loved resident DJs Atiké, Alex Zalewska b2b Gary Bratchford, and Dom Owen will play sets from 12pm until 1am, and on Valentine’s Day, Monday 14th February, the 36-seat Mini Cini with 7.1 surround sound and a 4k projector will screen foreign films Betty Blue (1986) and Jamon Jamon (1992).
Valentines Vivaldi by Candlelight at Manchester Cathedral
Saturday 12th February
You’ve been invited back to a lad’s penthouse apartment. He’s slick, he pulls a bottle of champagne out of the fridge, a bit of caviar too. He heads towards his built in sound system – you’re not expecting him to put on a bit of Vengaboys are you?! Nah, he’s going to pop some classical music on, because everyone knows that classical is the second sexiest music ever made (after Barry White). What better way to spend Valentine’s Day then than in Manchester Cathedral, surrounded by candlelight and listening to an orchestra play Vivaldi? Probably nothing. Oh, and if you find a bloke like what I described above – it’s all a lie – he’s just after you for your money. Leave immediately.
Make a Ring with Maisie Silver Valentines Ring Workshops
Wednesday 9th February
Artist, Maisie Smith is hosting a workshop in Thorniley Studios on Wednesday 9th February for the perfect beginners course in traditional silversmithing and jewellery making techniques. You will explore some basic techniques including sawing, soldering and shaping/forming to create a simple sterling silver ring. The silver we will be using is 100% recycled and all materials are provided. By the end of the afternoon you will have your very own silver ring to take home, handmade by you to give to your one true love (which should be YOURSELF).
The Valentine’s Weekender at The Con Club
A venue for one and all this Valentine’s, Con Club is dedicating the whole weekend to foodies, friends, family and music lovers – with live entertainment scheduled Friday through till Monday 14th! Expect boozy cocktail specials, the usual bustling brunch, lunch and dinner service PLUS evenings filled with DJs and live music. Single, taken or still deciding, Monday evening will play host to a special four course menu, lovingly curated by chefs, whilst resident CASA DJs ensure an electric atmosphere.
Valentine’s Beer & Pud Club at GRUB
Monday 14th February
GRUB have teamed up with some of their amazing street food traders to bring you a night of desserts, beers and some lovely Valentines tunes. 4 bespoke desserts have been created by Bake-O-Rama, Dohlightful, Drizzle City Bakes and That Vegan Bakery, which have been paired with 4 delicious locally-sourced craft beers from the GRUB bar.
‘Foreign Love’ in the Mini Cini
Monday 14th February
Everyone always says that us Brits are rubbish at romance, and when you look at those French or Italians – they’re probably right. A bag of chips and a couple of tins of Strongbow on the way home from the pub isn’t exactly the height of romanticism (for most) so perhaps it’s time we took a leaf out of our continental cousins’ book? This Valentine’s Day therefore, the Mini Cini at Ducie Street Warehouse will be showing two foreign love films, to hopefully get everyone in the mood. It’s ‘Jamon Jamon’ at 7pm and ‘Betty Blue’ at 10pm.
